Elaine Marilyn Stein

Elaine Marilyn Stein (ne Greenberg) was born in Portland, Oregon, on September 5, 1936, to Benjamin and Sadie Greenberg. Elaine traveled to all 50 states before she turned five. Her family settled in the Richmond District of San Francisco and she had fond memories of playing in Golden Gate Park. She grew up with many uncles and aunts and enjoyed spending the holidays at her Grandma Anna Greenberg and Aunt Fannie Figenbaum’s place in the city.

Elaine excelled in athletics and started roller-skating at age 10. She turned her talent into a real love of the sport and developed her skills into skate racing, speed skating, and skate dancing. She was also captain of her high school volleyball team.

As a young mom, Elaine worked as a bookkeeper, and as a cocktail waitress on Broadway Street, at the world famous Hungry i club. She bought her first home in Mill Valley, California, when she was just 30. She later moved to Healdsburg, California, and finally to Reno, Nevada, where, in 1982, she met her future husband, Larry Stein, while they both were employed as card dealers.

They married soon thereafter and were rarely apart for the rest of their lives. Together they traveled to and frequently won regional poker tournaments. While on one of their trips they discovered Cave Junction, Oregon. It was where they retired and where Elaine was able to pursue her love of dogs and gardening.

Early on the morning of July 6, 2018, Elaine and Larry died in an accidental fire in their home in Cave Junction. Elaine had a gift for bringing out the best in every situation, and was the kind of person who truly made friends with everyone she met. She left behind close friends who will miss her sense of humor, sense of fun, and loving nature.
She is survived by her two children, Ellie Shattuck from her first marriage to Gene Shattuck, and David Cesena from her second marriage to David Cesena; from her marriage to Larry: Joe Dines, Jennifer Castanet, and son-in-law, Craig, along with five grandchildren: Ben Dines, Mitchell Castanet, Sam Dines, Julia Castanet, and Damien Cesena, along with his wife, Falicia Cesena and their son – her great-grandson – Robert Cesena; and former daughter-in-law Eva Austin.